For many college graduates, transitioning from classroom learning to a full-time career can be challenging. The Auxiliary Services Association (ASA) of Stony Brook University is working to bridge that gap by hiring recent graduates into roles that align with their academic backgrounds. As a not-for-profit supporting student life, ASA offers recent graduates the chance to apply classroom knowledge, build real-world skills and prepare for long-term career success in a professional setting.
Nicole Diaz is one such graduate who took full advantage of this opportunity. After earning her degree in business management with a concentration in marketing in 2023, she joined ASA as a full-time accounting associate. What began as a student internship in the Human Resources Department evolved into a meaningful career-building experience that allowed Diaz to deepen her skills, take on new responsibilities and gain the kind of professional exposure that classroom learning alone could not provide.
As a student employee, Diaz quickly became involved with multiple facets of the organization in ways that blended creativity, culture and collaboration. She was instrumental in launching the SBU Eats “Cooking from Home” program, which gives students the chance to share personal recipes that reflect their heritage and memories of home.
Diaz transitioned into a full-time role as an accounting associate in ASA’s Finance and Accounting Department, where she managed accounts receivable and payable, invoiced hospital catering and handled vendor transactions for the Wolfie Wallet program. She compiled sales reports for multiple campus operations and became proficient in systems like Oracle, Odyssey, Symphony and Event Master. While she had taken accounting classes in college, ASA gave her the critical opportunity to put theory into practice.
“What I enjoyed most about my experience working for the ASA is that everyone was so welcoming and open to teach me,” said Diaz. “They helped me integrate into any department that I worked in.” In addition to technical skills, Diaz said her full-time role taught her valuable lessons in time management and teamwork. “I quickly realized that my colleagues depend on me,” she said. “When it came to end-of-month closing, I needed to complete my tasks on time so everyone else could then do their part.”
Now, Diaz is preparing to take the next step in her journey. This fall, she’ll attend the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University to pursue graduate studies in hopes of becoming a project manager in the news and entertainment industry.
Robert Finazzo, ASA’s director of financial operations, says that’s exactly the goal of ASA’s post-graduation employment initiative.
“We’re empowering recent graduates to become effective leaders by giving them real-world experience in a supportive environment,” Finazzo said. “It’s about more than just a job, it’s training, mentoring, and preparing them for long-term success in their careers. It’s been a pleasure working with Nicole Diaz, watching her grow, coaching her through challenges, and seeing her develop professionally has been incredibly rewarding.”
Diaz’s journey is just one example of how ASA’s post-graduate opportunities can shape emerging professionals. Another success story is Paul Kim, whose experience helped him build on his academic foundation and take the next step toward an advanced degree.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in environmental design, policy and planning from Stony Brook University in December 2024, Kim found an opportunity that would bridge his academic background with practical, hands-on experience. As a project technician with the ASA, Kim spent six months gaining experience that sharpened his technical abilities, elevated his project management skills and prepared him for the next chapter, graduate studies at Cornell University. Kim will be pursuing a professional master of architecture degree.
Kim’s journey with ASA began in May 2024 as a remote student assistant, supporting visualization tasks such as mapping campus water fountains and creating 3D renderings for a living wall at the J-Club in Jasmine. The experience sparked a deeper interest in design that enhances campus life.
In January 2025, Kim became a project technician, taking on a range of sustainability-focused initiatives. He supported the Chávez Community Changers (C3) Composting Program by installing equipment, managing waste collection from sites like Starbucks and East Side Dining and tracking preconsumer organic waste data. At the Cultivated Cabinet micro-farm, he maintained hydroponic systems and worked with SBU Eats chefs to incorporate fresh crops into weekly menus.
Working for the ASA was a natural next step for Kim, building on the work he completed in his EDP 404 class, where he redesigned the outdoor patio behind West Side Dining. His final presentation impressed ASA leadership, prompting him to submit a proposal to continue his design work in a staff role.
Kim’s role also included customer service, fielding student questions about meal plans and student health insurance. Though a departure from his usual responsibilities, the experience taught him how to support students in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment.
Among the most valuable skills Kim gained were time management, stakeholder communication and the ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously. “It challenged me to tailor my strengths to meet the needs of students, staff, and the broader campus community,” he said. “I learned how to take a conceptual idea and bring it into actualization.”
Working closely with his mentor, Dawn Villacci, ASA director of engagement and guest experience, Paul developed confidence in his ability to network and lead. He also credits Samantha Johnson, student services manager, for modeling exceptional customer service and demonstrating the value of empathy, professionalism and consistency in every interaction.
“I enjoyed working with Paul — guiding him as he learned how different teams collaborate to achieve meaningful results, emphasizing the importance of building connections, and helping him gain a deeper understanding of how a large university operates,” said Villacci.
For Kim, the most rewarding part of the job was watching his projects come to life. “Seeing the composting program work and watching volunteers use the equipment based on the step-by-step guides I created was incredibly satisfying. It was important to me to know that the plan I created was sound and the outcome was successful.”
His advice for other students or recent grads? Don’t be afraid to ask for help. “ASA is a gateway to gaining top-notch industry focused experience,” he said. “It gave me the tools and confidence to advance my career. Be independent, think critically, but know that seeking guidance is part of professional growth, the support is there if you take the first step.”
Through these job opportunities, ASA helps recent graduates move forward with confidence, equipped with experience, sharpened skills and a vision for the future so they can thrive in competitive industries.
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